May 3 2012

Batwing 9

Today, Drew and Patrick are discussing Batwing 9, originally released May 2nd, 2012. This issue is part of the Night of the Owls crossover event. Click here for complete NotO coverage. Not caught up on Batwing? No problem! Get up to speed with our video Cram Session.

Drew: Last month, we took Batwing to task for its bat-family cameos; when the hero is still winning over an audience, placing him alongside one of comicbookdom’s biggest draws will necessarily divert our interest. As I looked ahead to reading this issue, I wondered how removing Batman from the equation would work. Batwing is still in Batman’s city, and is now fighting one of Batman’s villains, but without Batman’s presence, would the issue feel lacking? Continue reading →

May 2 2012

The Vault – DC Comics Bowties

The Retcon Punchers spend an awful lot of time looking for ways to celebrate our nerdy obsessions. This means a lot of time sunk into scouring Etsy, Deviant Art, Think Geek or whatever. Sometimes we see things so great we just have to share them… and then clutch them fiercely to our collective chest. Throw it in The Vault.

Website: Etsy

Who Would Love This: People who wear bow ties, PeeWee Herman

Price: $12.25 each

Bow ties have been making a come back as of late, and all the nerds don’t want to be left behind! While these are a little narrow in terms of events and such that you could wear them at. I feel that there are only a few very specific types of weddings that you could wear one of these bow ties at, for example. I wish that we could see Jimmy Olsen wearing a Superman bow tie, it would be sweet. There is also the option to choose your bow tie for the appropriate occasion or day. Maybe you’re feeling rather super, wear the Superman tie. Going to NASA for a tour? Martian Manhunter tie has you covered. Chasing storms? Red Tornado.

May 2 2012

Free Comic Book Day

Patrick: Comic books are weird. Heroes die, travel through time, visit other universes – and yes, they occasionally punch holes in reality. And yet the biggest barrier most non-readers face is the simple fact that buying comics is a strange process. You have to put together a pull list, visit a special store and you can sink innumerable hours into figuring out what you’re supposed to be reading.

Plus: print media. OH PRINT MEDIA! Magazines, newspapers, regular books – all printed media is becoming increasingly unprofitable. So ten years ago, The Powers That Be decided the only logical conclusion would be to give away free comics once a year at independent comic shops all around the country (oh and Canada too, if that’s your thing).

Now look, you’re at least moderately geeky, right? You’re excited by either The Avengers coming out this weekend or that new Dark Knight Rises trailer, if not both. You don’t even need to invest any money at all to pick up new comics this Saturday. There’s a free Avengers book and there’s a DC New 52 book – and we’re probably going to to write something about it. There are also FORTY OTHER FREE TITLES to grab (I’m so going to get my hands on that Mega Man book if it kills me).

Naturally, all of the Retcon Punchers will be hitting up local comic shops during the day.  If you wanna hook up at the store, just sound off in the comments – we’ll be happy to say hello!

Shelby will be at Alley Cat Comics in Chicago, Illinois

Peter will be at Fanfare Sports and Entertainment in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Drew will be at JP Comics & Games and New England Comics (at Coolridge Corner) in Boston, Massachusetts

Patrick will be at Meltdown Comics, The Golden Apple (they’ve got Burt Ward in the afternoon!), Melrose Music and Comics and Secret Headquarters in Los Angeles, California

May 2 2012

Chat Cave: A DC Team Movie

In 2008, Marvel Studios introduced Tony Stark to the big screen in “Iron Man.” 4 years, one sequel, and new Thor and Captain America franchises later, we are a week away from “The Avengers.” This is the first time a studio has created separate movies for each team member, leading into a full-fledged, comic book team movie. Will it work? More important, could it be done for a DC team? What would it take for a full-fledged Justice League movie? Retcon Punchers sound off.  Welcome to the Chat Cave.

Patrick: Oh, it’ll work. I don’t think there’s a doubt in anyone’s mind that The Avengers is going to work. It’s release geniusly coincides with the weekend of Free Comic Book Day, so fans of the movie may find themselves wandering into their local comic shop. Once inside, they’ll inevitably stumble on Marvel’s big cross-over series: Avengers vs. X-men. We laugh at the corporate buzz-word “synergy,” but this is some impressive fucking synergy.

Continue reading →

May 1 2012

The Vault – Justice League Movie Poster Set

The Retcon Punchers spend an awful lot of time looking for ways to celebrate our nerdy obsessions. This means a lot of time sunk into scouring Etsy, Deviant Art, Think Geek or whatever. Sometimes we see things so great we just have to share them… and then clutch them fiercely to our collective chest. Throw it in The Vault.

Website: Etsy

Who Would Love This: Art fans, gritty superhero movie fans, gritty superhero movie art fans

Price: $70.00

My love for secret nerd art is well documented. No one should be surprised that I like these. NO ONE. These prints look like old concert posters whose colors have run in the rain, or slapdash grafitti: they’re old, messy, and kind of dirty-looking. The artist, who goes by Harshness on Etsy, has a ton of very minimalist and graphically striking posters, any of which I would love. This full set of Justice League posters is probably my favorite, although he has a X-Men set that is also awesome. Plus, apparently he’s having a buy one, get one sale right now! So, if you don’t really have the wall space for the whole League, you can get Superman and Batman for the low low price of Superman alone! What a deal!

May 1 2012

Cram Session: Detective Comics 1-8

It can be hard to keep up with all the comics you love. But it’s damn near impossible to keep up with all the comics you’re interested in.

Retcon Punch got you covered.

If you’re already reading Batman, then you might not see the point of another series featuring the characters as the hero. Or, you could be like the Retcon Punchers and have read every issue and still don’t see the point of this series. Well you don’t have to read it to find out what happened in issues 1-8.

May 1 2012

All-Star Western 8

Today, Peter and Drew are discussing the All-Star Western 8, originally released April 25th, 2012.

Peter: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti have obviously become pretty close to mastering the character of Jonah Hex. They’ve held his reigns for so long that they know exactly how to write him. This new issue of of All-Star Western pushes Jonah dangerously close to the line between hero/anti-hero and villain. Hell, I’m not always sure which side of the line he normally falls on anyway.
 Continue reading →

Apr 30 2012

The Vault – Green Lantern Costume Snuggy Sleeved Blanket

The Retcon Punchers spend an awful lot of time looking for ways to celebrate our nerdy obsessions. This means a lot of time sunk into scouring Etsy, Deviant Art, Think Geek or whatever. Sometimes we see things so great we just have to share them… and then clutch them fiercely to our collective chest. Throw it in The Vault.Green Lantern Costume Snuggy Sleeved BlanketWebsite: Super Hero Stuff

Who Would Love This: Sleepy/lazy cosplayers

Price: $29.99

You may be familiar with the distinctly unheroic feeling you get vegging-out in front of the TV, but have you considered the possibility that the problem lies in the unheroic nature of the blanket you use to keep your lazy ass warm? Well, the good folks over at Super Hero Stuff have considered that possibility, and have come up with their own solution: a Snuggie® with Green Lantern’s body printed on it. Part boardwalk cut-out, part blanket, this item takes the “superhero shirt with fake muscles” phenomenon to its logical conclusion, even depicting muscle-bound legs on people who can’t even be bothered to stand for cosplaying. Hope you always imagined Hal Jordan with Dorito-stained fingers!

Apr 30 2012

NEW FEATURE – Cram Session: Batwing 1-8

It can be hard to keep up with all the comics you love. But it’s damn near impossible to keep up with all the comics you’re interested in.

Retcon Punch got you covered.

Our first video recap, or “Cram Session,” covers the events from Batwing 1-8. That way you’ll be all caught up and ready to read Batwing #9 – his cross through  the Night of the Owls event.

Apr 30 2012

Green Lantern: New Guardians 8

Today, Patrick and Drew are discussing Green Lantern: New Guardians 8, originally released April 25th, 2012.

Patrick: After seven months of telling a fairly insulted story about a band of emotional misfits zooming across the galaxy, Green Lantern: New Guardians has to remind us that these characters don’t really work for the same team. They serve seven different masters, and most of that leadership is in various states of decay. So there are a thousand different motivating factors at play, and writer Tony Bedard handles what could be an incredibly complicated issue with aplomb.
Continue reading →